Derrick Gordon joined names like Nets forward Jason Collins and NFL Draft hopeful Michael Sam on Wednesday with an announcement.

According to an article written by ESPNW's Kate Fagan, the UMass sophomore guard and Plainfield, N.J. native came out to his team and is sharing his story to the world. He is the first openly gay male D-I men's basketball player.

Derrick Gordon, seen here playing for St. Patrick in a 2011 game against Trenton Catholic, was the 2011 Star-Ledger Union County Player of the Year.Amanda Brown/For the Star Ledger

"Gordon told his team April 2, a few days after telling his parents and [UMass head coach Derek] Kellogg. That same week, he sat down to share his story with ESPN and OutSports, becoming the first openly gay male player in Division I basketball," Fagan wrote.

Collins helped "mentor" Gordon along with ex-NFL player Wade Davis and thought about coming out after the Minutemen lost in last year's NCAA Tournament.

"I was thinking about summer plans and just being around my teammates and how it was going to be. I just thought, 'Why not now? Why not do it in the offseason when it's the perfect time to let my teammates know and everybody know my sexuality," he said.

When he made the announcement to his teammates, they gave him nothing but support, calling him family and saying "you're one of us."